A life remembered.

How very fitting that UMKC/Rockhurst's Relay for Life is today, April 15th. It's been exactly two years since Lavelle lost his battle with cancer and it still doesn't seem right. I feel like he should be at my five year class reunion this summer, celebrating life with the rest of us.

It really is such a beautiful thing to have blessed so many people in your short 21 years of life with your laughter and happiness. You are not forgotten. Miss ya bud and I hope to see you again someday!

To my siblings

The past few days have been a major struggle for me. I think it’s safe to say that I desperately miss my family.Sunday, April 17^th, marks the one year anniversary of my Dad’s ordination into the Deaconate. This was also the last time all of my family was together. With two of my brothers being in the military, we never really know when there will be a possibility of a reunion. I am counting down the days until I get to go home for Easter to be with my parents. I wish going home for Easter meant getting to see all of my siblings – like it used to when I was younger. Matthew, Luke, Marcus and Mandy -- this is just to let all of you know how dearly you are loved and missed by your baby sister. I hope these pictures remind you of some of wonderful times we shared in our childhood and how blessed we were to have each other, as well as Mom and Pops, in our lives.

Jesus, I Trust in You

I have this newfound love for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, and Our Lady of Good Council Parish here in KC. I can’t really say how it all started for sure. I used to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in the car with my Mom when I lived at home, but that was before I really appreciated the power of the prayer. When I moved into the house with the missionaries, Kelly told me I should read the Diary of Saint Faustina.

As I often do after a long day of classes, I went to IDonnelly. It’s my saving grace. I could spend hours in that store. I walked in and all I could think about was this book Kelly had told me about. So I bought it. It probably helps that all three of my roommates are reading or have also read this book and have the same if not greater love for the things I have listed above.

So here I am, two weeks later and I absolutely cannot get enough of St. Faustina and the way Jesus worked through her. I am simply in awe every single day of how the saints gave their lives to Christ. It makes me realize again each day how I too need to work harder to be more Christlike to the people and the world around me.

“O present moment, you belong to me, whole and entire. I desire to use you as best I can.

Trusting in Your mercy, I walk through life like a little child, Offering You each day this heart, Burning with love for Your greater glory.”

-St. Faustina

Livin' the Dream

Last week was probably one of the best weeks since I've been in grad school. It was nothing extraordinary, but instead of being completely bogged down by assignments, hours of studying, and meetings for Capstone... I actually got to enjoy some quality time with some of the people I love the most. One of the highlights of the week?? Celebrating my beautiful roommate's 24th birthday. Kay Stewart, you are a gem. Here's to your 24th year. (You know, 24 is my favorite number. I know it's going to be a great year for you!) Here are just a few of the pictures from a very fun night. We started out at Kona, then came back to the house for a piñata. Afterwards we celebrated with some cake and watched a movie. Here are some of the pictures from our night....

Divine Mercy Icon. Jesus, I Trust In You. (St. Faustina Pray For Us!)
Justin & Kay with the piñata.
My turn...I'm going to miss you next year!
Birthday girl, taking a swing.
That candy hasn't really lasted long in this house :)
Cheers to 24 years :) I hope the next 24 are just as blessed. Love you Kay!

Matt Maher - As it is in heaven w/lyrics

Our Father, who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Come and let Your glory,
Come and let Your glory fall.

Our Father, who art in Heaven
The rocks cry out Your fame
Come and let Your glory,
Come and let Your glory fall.

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song to the Lord

Let your kingdom come
Let your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Every heart proclaim
The mercy of Your name
On earth as it is in heaven.

God give us new every morning
Mercy his daily bread
In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus we pray

And lead us, not to temptation
But deliver us with Your hand
In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus we pray
Father we pray

I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song to the Lord

Let your kingdom come
Let your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Every heart proclaim
The mercy of Your name
On earth as it is in heaven.

For the kingdom is yours
And the power is yours
And the glory forever Amen
For the kingdom is yours
And the power is yours
And the glory forever Amen
For the kingdom is yours
And the power is yours
And the glory forever Amen
For the kingdom is yours
And the power is yours
And the glory forever Amen

Let your kingdom come
Let your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Every heart proclaim
The mercy of Your name
On earth as it is in heaven

I Saw God Today - George Strait

Today was one of "those" days. I woke up in a rush to just get through the day. I didn't feel well, I had a Kinesiology test, a lab practical and wanted nothing more than to get through it all. All day long I felt like the devil was trying to get to me. Sadly, I was letting him. I finally got through my test and my practical. As I walked out of Van Ackeran afterwards I saw the most beautiful flowers blooming and was quickly reminded of the beauty of God all around me. I then started thinking about all of the other places in my life today that I saw, but neglected at the time, to notice that He was present all around me. I saw God today in the video recording of my Godchild/niece, Macy, that my sister sent me. I saw God today in the hug from my friend, Amy, as she was reassuring me that I was going to do great in my lab practical. I saw God today in my Mom's 5th grade class as they prayed for me, as they do every day I have a checkout or lab practical. (Along with many of my other faithful friends. You know who you are. Your rewards will be endless in heaven. I am forever grateful for all of you and I love you dearly.) I saw God today in the e-mail I received from Gusenord. (He is one of my favorite Haitians of all time! He is our translator when we go down there. His message was wonderful and absolutely could not have come at a better time.) I saw God today in the text from my dear friend Alex Pintus, which simply said "love you!"...this too couldn't have come at a better time. I saw God today in the smile from a stranger as I walked into Starbucks to meet Michaela. I saw God today in Michaela as she requested we say a prayer together before we began studying. And guess what? My day isn't over yet. I still have many opportunities to see God today. I'm thankful I have a loving God who sends me beautiful flowers to remind me to see Him in the small things.

April is OT Month!

http://aota.org/Practitioners/Awareness/OT-Month.aspx

April is Occupational Therapy Month! I hope those of you who read my blog regularly will take some time to check out the incredible profession that I, along with so many others have fallen in love with. By visiting this link you can learn more about what we do and how our therapy impacts people's lives every day (http://www.aota.org/).

Along with my fellow classmates at Rockhurst, we will be increasing awareness for OT throughout this month!

OT is a profession that enables people of all ages to live life to the fullest by helping them to promote health, prevent or live better with illness, injury or disability. Occupational Therapists take into account the complete person, including his or her psychosocial, emotional and physical makeup. This is just one of the ways we incorporate the six core Jesuit values into our practice (Cura Personalis - "Care for the whole person").

Inspired by the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola, I am seeking to make this world a better place in my chosen profession of OT through learning, leadership and service of others.

Our banner that will proudly hang out on campus all month.
Here I am with Probasco and Hess at the Health Fair, testing for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis.